Broadening Participation in Engineering
The BPE Program by NSF aims to boost diversity in engineering, supporting research, mentoring, and equity initiatives to enhance the engineering workforce.
This grant was recently cancelled by U.S. National Science Foundation
Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: September 17, 2025 (Letter of Intent, Track 4, optional) | November 19, 2025 (Full Proposal, Tracks 3 & 4) | Rolling (Tracks 1 & 2)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,200,000 for Track 4 (CEE, Phase I); up to $800,000 for Track 3 (IMHubs); up to $400,000 for Track 2 (Research); $50,000–$100,000 for Track 1 (Planning/Conference); total program budget ~$13M/year.
Summary: Supports research, planning, mentoring, and institutional change projects to broaden participation and equity in engineering across the U.S. workforce.
Key Information: Tracks 1 & 2 accept proposals at any time; Tracks 3 & 4 have annual deadlines; Track 4 PI must be Dean (or equivalent) of College of Engineering.
Description
The National Science Foundation's Broadening Participation in Engineering (BPE) program aims to strengthen the future U.S. engineering workforce by enabling and encouraging participation from all citizens, especially those from groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering. The program supports research, collaborative initiatives, mentoring networks, and institutional transformation to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering education and careers.
BPE offers four distinct tracks:
- Track 1: Planning and Conference Grants – For building capacity and establishing collaborations to address broadening participation and equity challenges.
- Track 2: Research in Broadening Participation in Engineering – For research projects that investigate barriers and develop strategies to increase diversity and inclusion in engineering.
- Track 3: Inclusive Mentoring Hubs (IMHubs) – For multi-institutional hubs providing open-access mentoring and professional development, especially for racially and ethnically underrepresented groups.
- Track 4: Centers for Equity in Engineering (CEE) – For institutional transformation at the college level, focusing on sustainable, systemic change to promote equity and inclusion.
Projects may address a wide range of populations, including but not limited to Black/African American, Latino/Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, women, persons with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and those from low-resourced or rural areas.
